Fun Stuff

Autumn 2016 12-Picks

2013 Cederquist Cabernet Sauvignon “Kingfish” Knights Valley Sonoma
Darkly rich and altogether impressive, the nose of this notably-underpriced Cabernet melds scents of black cherry, black currant, dark plum, blueberry, violet, vanilla toffee, star anise, baking spices, laurel and hints of Thai basil and graphite in to a concentrated, focused melange. It is powerfully structured and grippy on the palate, yet the intense fruit easily dominates both the vibrant acidity and the polished tannins. What results is a gutsy, lingering cascade of mixed dark cherries and dark berries, black fig, cola, dark tobacco, graphite, vanilla, clove, mace and other baking-spice flavors. It is gorgeous now, but expect at least four years of improvement. 50 cases made.

2013 Wrath Pinot Noir “Pommard 4 & 777 Clones” San Saba Vineyard Monterey
Already nicely evolved, this is a tasty, dinner-friendly Pinot. The aromas center on strawberry, whortleberry, red cherry, dried cranberry and blood orange, with savory-spice notes that challenge for center stage. A creamy strawberry-red cherry mix dominates on the palate, where the texture is soft-edged and flavors of pink peppercorn, orange zest, sandalwood, rose, allspice and cardamon join in to create an elegant, sweet-natured harmony. The finish is long and the texture supple and the wine should grow in appeal over the next two years and beyond. 389 cases made.

2014 Whitehall Lane Merlot Napa Valley
Polished and supple, this lovely wine pairs forthcoming fruit with intriguing hints of Oriental spices. The aromas are a harmonious mix of sweet dark plum, black raspberry, blueberry, black currant, violet, black fig, sandalwood, vanilla, baking-spice and mocha-coffee scents. It provides some unexpected zest on the palate, in support of black cherry, dried blueberry, dark plum, Asian plum sauce, sandalwood, coriander seed, mace, and bay leaf flavors. Chinese five-spice, star anise and a peppercorn undercurrent chime-in at the end. Already well-evolved and food-friendly, it will grow steadily more attractive over the next two years and beyond.

2012 Pressed Malbec Santa Barbara County
This quietly seductive red is “dark and dusty” to the nose, where dried blueberry, blackberry, black currant, dark plum and violet join cedar, tobacco, mace and a hint of Thai basil to create a complex, if slightly low-key perfume. Things are firm and deftly balanced on the palate, where a bit of tannic grip and a dusty-earthy note underpin the core flavors of sour plum, blueberry, black currant, cola, star anise, clove and baking spices. Food-friendly through its lingering finish, it will be especially tasty with spice-rubbed barbecued meats. 150 Cases produced.

2014 Calstar Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
Soft-edged, yet focused and vibrant, this Sauvignon Blanc is both dinner-worthy and a delightful sipper. The aromas are a brightly pert mix of pink grapefruit, lemon-lime and guava, with hints of lemongrass, orange blossom and brioche in the background. It proves refreshing and as easy-going as expected on the palate, where it fans out a lingering melange of citrus, tropical fruit and lemongrass flavors over quiet suggestions of starfruit, celery seed, coriander seed and dried orange peel tea. 195 cases produced.

2015 Morgan Albariño Monterey
This is a sensational Albariño, as delicious and as varietally correct as could be hoped for. The nose is a precise, super-bright mix of apple skin, quince jelly, stone fruit, Green Gage plum, green apple candy, lemon blossom, mineral and sea salt aromas. It is vividly fresh in the mouth, with flavors that are an intensely fruity, piquantly fresh mirror of the aromas. The texture is taut and the finish super long and refreshing without being at all citric, while the layering of mineral salts at the finish leaves the drinker ravenously hungry. A heroic appetizer wine. 375 cases made.

2015 Leo Steen Chenin Blanc Saini Vineyard Dry Creek Valley
This is a rich and complex white with a future, and its concentrated aromas of pear liqueur, baked apple, lemon peel, white pepper, orange blossom, chamomile tea, brioche and chalk are elegantly framed. A piquant sappiness brings firmness to the wines rich mid-palate and through a lingering finish where pear, apple, dry peach, white peach and mineral notes vie for pride of place. Certainly tasty now with seared scallops and the like, it will grow even more so over the next few years. 700 cases produced.